‘Ice Cream, I Scream’ director Aksu begins work on new film

Turkish film director Yüksel Aksu speaks during a conference at the Yaşar University in İzmir in this Oct. 29, 2014 file photo. The director will start shooting his next feature in August. (Photo: DHA)

Turkish filmmaker Yüksel Aksu, the director behind the acclaimed comedies “Dondurmam Gaymak” (Ice Cream, I Scream) and “Entelköy Efeköy'e Karşı” (Ecotopia), has rolled up his sleeves for his newest film, again set in an Aegean village like his previous efforts.

filming on the movie, called “İftarlık Gazoz” (The Soda Seller), is set to begin in August in the Aegean town of Menteşe in Muğla, the Cihan news agency reported Friday.

“This is yet again an Aegean story,” Aksu told reporters Friday as he was visiting Menteşe ahead of filming. “The story is set in the 1970s… during one Ramadan. It's a heartwarming story, just like ‘Dondurmam Gaymak,'” the director said.

Aksu, who often casts locals as amateur actors for his films, said this time “several surprise actors” will appear in the movie in addition to the townsfolk.

“İftarlık Gazoz” is made with support from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Aksu's 2006 film “Ice Cream, I Scream” was Turkey's official submission for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar race at the 79th Academy Awards.